July 24th

CORALVILLE– According to the State Treasurer of Iowa’s Outstanding Obligations report of 2012, Coralville is carrying a total of $278.9 million in debt.
It is the state’s third-highest city debt load behind Des Moines ($438 million) and Cedar Rapids ($430 million).
However, that number takes on a more troubling quality when put up against each city’s population, said Kevin O’Brien, area business owner and member of Citizens For Responsible Growth And Taxation (CFRG&T).

Harrison Vanderhorst winds up for the spit; the young man was encouraged to participate in the sunflower seed spitting contest held at North Liberty’s Centennial Birthday Bash on July 13. The day was filled with games and food, a picnic and friendly competitions held at Penn Meadows Park and the North Liberty Recreation Center. The evening brought a Hairball concert at Liberty Centre Park, sponsored by the University of Iowa Community Credit Union. (photo by Lori Lindner)

JOHNSON COUNTY– County residents should be glad to hear that at least one return on their investment equals better safety for everyone.
North Liberty Mayor Tom Salm is a member of the policy board for the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC), the central facility that dispatches emergency resources and personnel from fire departments, law enforcement agencies and medical responders countywide.
Salm told the North Liberty City Council earlier this month that June’s severe weather incidents put the JECC facility and its personnel to the test, and all passed with flying colors.

Solon baseball team ends regular season with doubleheader sweep of Marion

SOLON– The Solon baseball team was shut out for the first time earlier in July by Cedar Rapids Kennedy.
The second shut-out ended the Spartans’ season.
Solon fell to West Delaware in a District 6 substate semifinal Friday night, 3-0. The Spartans ended their year with a 27-13 overall record.

SOLON– The Lady Spartans are on their way to Ft. Dodge.
Solon’s softball team punched its ticket with a 11-0 substate win over Maquoketa last Tuesday.
The Lady Spartans open the Class 4A State Softball Tournament Tuesday, July 23, (subsequent to the publication of this edition) against Washington (29-11). The winner plays either Waverly-Shell Rock (34-8) or Carlisle (32-7) on Thursday, July 25, with the 4A championship Friday, July 26, at 4:45 p.m. All of it takes place at Harlan Rogers Park north of Ft. Dodge.
It was a fairly easy road for the Lady Spartans.

Summer Reading wraps up

Saturday, July 27, is the last day for kids to turn in reading logs for the Summer Reading Program. It’s been a great summer of reading and programs, and we’ll share final stats in coming weeks in this column. Grand prize drawings will be on Monday, July 29. A complete list of sponsors is available at the library, but we would especially like to thank the Solon Women’s Club for the beanies and candy prizes, Solon State Bank for the bicycle prize, Beef Days Committee for the carnival rides passes, and the Friends of the Library for the 52” plush bear.

SOLON– The Solon Community Food Pantry needs your help. The shelves are becoming bare over the summer.
If people working the Beef Days luncheon, eating there, or attending church next weekend could bring a food item to the Solon United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, it would be very much appreciated. Starred items below are especially needed along with other listed items:

SOLON– The 2013 Spartan Youth Football Camp for students entering second through eighth grade will be held Aug. 5 through 8 at Spartan Stadium.
Second through fifth graders will attend from 9 until 10:30 a.m., and sixth through eighth graders will attend from 11 a.m. until 12:45 p.m. The fee is $50, with checks payable to Solon Football.
This camp will allow each camper to learn and apply the various skills and techniques applicable to football.